Dating and numbering machine



Dec. 8, 1936. L. T. GILARDONI 2,063,427

DATING AND NUMBERING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1955 Z l 1 /2' Z 1 E H /4 2 F? 11 3/ J1 INVENTOR L. I. liardan/zl ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

My invention relates to dating and numbering machines and more particularly to a device adapted for use in placing dates, numbers, and other reference characters or symbols at various points across the face of ledger sheets, bills, coupons, or other forms commonly employed by commercial and other agencies in the keeping of various records and accounts; and contemplates the provision of such a device which is inexpensive in construction, simple in operation, and. which will not readily get out of order.

My invention further contemplates the provision of a device of this kind embodying a plurality of standard date and number machines, such as are to be found on the market at the present time, together with suitable means for locating and securing said machines in their proper positions to suit the requirements of the form of instrument to be dated and numbered.

My invention further contemplates the provision of a machine of this kind in which the dating and numbering units can readily be removed from, replaced, or adjusted on the machine to meet the requirements of the various forms of instruments.

My invention further contemplates the provision of means for guiding the forms into position in the machine, and other means for automatically holding said forms against displacement during the stamping operation.

My invention embodies other novel features, details of construction, and arrangements of parts which are hereinafter set forth in the specification and claims, and shown in the accompanying drawing, forming part thereof.

A device embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved machine;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of same;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line III--III of Fig. 2, showing the mechanism provided in the end members for moving the dating and numbering machines vertically, and for operating the hold-down mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken through an end member along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are front and end elevational views respectively of a clip employed to secure the dating and numbering machines on the cross bar of the machine.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of my invention, I show a machine base 8 which is provided with seats to receive the bottom portions 9 and II, respectively, of the end members l2 and I3. The end members are formed with tubular arms l4 which project upwardly and forwardly and carry at their ends vertically disposed bearing sleeves it. for vertical reciprocation within each sleeve, I provide a hollow plunger I! which is normally held in its upper position by means of a helical compression spring 18 interposed between a pin 19 secured in the bearing sleeve and several inwardly bent ears 2| formed on the upper end of the plunger, and the plungers are slotted at 22 to receive the pins 19.

Mounted on the lower end of each plunger is provided a cup-shaped hold-down member 23 which is secured thereon by means of a pin 24 provided on the plunger and extending into slots 26 formed in the members 23. Interposed between the plunger and the member 23 is provided a compression spring 21 which yieldably resists a telescoping movement of these parts.

A cross bar 28 having its ends resting upon the upper edges of the plungers i1 is provided to carry a plurality of dating and numbering machines 29 which are secured thereon by means of clips 3|, shown more clearly in Figs. 5 and 6. The clips are formed at theirlower ends with a pair of fingers 32 adapted to engage the underside of the ball-shaped head 33 provided on the handle of the machines, and at their upper ends are formed with an inturned ear 34 which has threaded therethrough a clamping screw 36. The tops of the handle heads 33 are flattened to provide a line contact with the under-side of the cross bar.

Pivotally mounted at its ends in the arms l4 and extending through slots 31 formed in the sleeves I6, I provide a U-shaped operating handle 38 which rests upon the ends of the cross bar 28 and is adapted to move same downwardly when pressure is applied upon the knob 39. The sides of the sleeves I6 are slotted at 4| to form guides for the ends of the cross bar.

Along the back side of the machine is provided a back guide 42 which is slotted at 43 to receive screws 44, and along the sides of the machine I provide side guides 45 which are provided with slots 46 to receive screws 41.

In the use of my improved machine in stamping bills, ledger sheets, etc., the instrument to be stamped is first positioned in the machine by means of the guide 42 and 45; then the operator presses against the knob 39 to move the operating lever 38 downwardly. As the operating handle moves downwardly, it forces the cross-bar Mounted 2B and the plungers l1 downwardly until the dating and numbering machine 29 comes in contact with the instrument being stamped. During the stamping operation the hold-down member 23 provided on the end of each plunger is adapted to grip and hold the instrument form tightly against the base of the machine. After the stamping operation has been completed, the working parts are returned to their normal positions by means of the compression springs l8.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible .of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof; and my desire therefore that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are disclosed by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, a base, end members mounted on said base, a demountable cross bar mounted for vertical movement in said end members, dating and numbering machines secured to said cross bar, and an operating handle pivotally connected at each of its ends to the end members for actuating the cross bar to move the dating and numbering machines into engagement with the base.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which, means are provided for demountably securing the dating and numbering machines to the cross bar and for adjusting the positions of same longitudinally of the bar.

3. In a stamping machine, a base, end members mounted on said base, a cross bar having its ends mounted for .vertical movement in said end members, dating and numbering machines secured at spaced intervals to said cross bar, a hold-down mechanism for holding the forms to be stamped against displacement during the stamping operation, and an operating handle pivotally connected at each of its ends to the end members for actuating the cross bar and the hold-down mechanism.

4. In a stamping machine, a base, end members mounted on said base, a cross bar having its ends mounted for vertical movement in said end members, dating and numbering machines detachably mounted at spaced intervals on said cross bar, a plunger mounted for vertical movement in each end member, a hold-down mechanism mounted on the lower end of each plunger, resilient means interposed between the plungers and the hold-down mechanisms, an operating handle pivotally connected at each of its ends .to the end members for moving the plunger, cross arm, and hold-down mechanism downwardly, and spring means for returning the operating parts to their normal positions.

5. In a dating and numbering machine, a base,

end members secured to the base, vertically disposed bearing sleeves provided on said end members, hollow plungers mounted for vertical movement in said bearing sleeves, compression springs mounted within the hollow plungers to yieldably resist a downward movement of same, a cross bar having its ends demountably engaging said plungers to receive a plurality of dating and numbering machines, and a U-shaped operating handle pivotally connected at its ends to the end members for.engaging and moving the hollow plungers and cross bar downwardly to bring the dating and numbering machines into contact with the base.

6. In a dating and numbering machine, a base, end members secured to the base, vertica1lydisposed bearing sleeves provided on said end members, hollow plungers mounted for vertical movement in said bearing sleeves, compression springs mounted within the hollow plungers to yieldably resist a downward movement of same, a cross bar having its ends demountably engaging said plungers to receive a plurality ofdating and numbering machines, a U-shaped operating handle pivotally connected at its ends to the end members for engaging and moving the hollow plungers and cross bar downwardly to bring the dating and numbering machines into contact with the base, a cup-shaped holddown member positioned on the end of each plunger for vertical movement relative thereto, and compression springs interposed between the plungers and their respective hold-down members.

LEWIS T. GILARDONI. 

